Grasshopper Days

Grasshopper Days

For today, April 11, 2016

Outside my window...  spring clouds.  How do they look different than winter clouds??? They just do.  We've had some gorgeous days over spring break, and now it looks like we're settling in for a few days of rain.  Oh well, that might make it easier to get our focus back on school work!

Hearing...  the dryer tumbling... too cool to line-dry today :o(

Pondering...  making a master schedule that has all the boys' school schedules, but how?  Maybe I need to use overlays of tracing paper or something!  (I know, deep thoughts, people!)

Praying...  for all of us to work diligently at our jobs/studies.  We're coming down the homestretch of this school year, and it's do tempting (at least for me!) to slack off.

Thankful...  Kerry has a ton of work right now - woo-hoo!  And we have found a new home for one of our bunnies.  I really didn't want to put him on craigslist, so I am delighted that friends from church would like a new pet :D  

Makes it a lot easier to let go of him.  And the boys are being really good sports about it.  We really think this bunny would like more attention than he's getting here, with the boys getting older and busier.

Wearing...  layers again, with the cooler weather.

Out for a walk with Gunnar... this house always seems surprised to see us ;D

Creating...  plans!  I'm going to cook a turkey today, and I'm hosting a baby shower tomorrow.  Those things are unrelated, but both need my attention-to-detail :D


Going...  to make lunch shortly, and then Gunnar and I will go with Tate over to the Tech College.  The way the city bus schedule and his class time doesn't line up, means that sending him via public transport would take about five hours.  For one class.  That just doesn't compute, so Gunnar and I are taking some schoolwork along and going to hang out in the library.  We can get some school work done while Tate is in class :D


Reading...  Don't Follow Your Heart: God's Ways Are Not Your Ways, by Jon Bloom.  Loving this book.  Today's reading dealt with God's providence in the hard parts of our lives.  He wrote,

The God who governs the visible and invisible worlds

knows what He is doing in your life.

Amen.


Looking forward to...  Gunnar's first recital on Saturday!


In the kitchen...  cooking a turkey for dinner, but not a full-on Turkey Dinner.  (Yes to potatoes and gravy, but no stuffing.  Maybe sweet potatoes if I have time!)


In the learning room...  Gunnar doing his language work.  Tate is probably working on Economics.  What with three classes at the high school, one at the college, and two at home, I've given him a lot of freedom to arrange his schedule however works for him.  Of course, he has to keep on track with his public school work, but he may be able to work ahead in his college class and finish it early.  The homeschool subjects can be postponed if he wants.


Around the house...  the minions weren't quite as available this spring break as they have been in the past!  Still, they helped with some chores - putting all the window screens and screen door back on, yardwork/mowing, and we did some cleaning and moved the living room furniture.  Do you do that?  I like to change things around every so often.  I get a fresh "new" room without spending a penny ;D

And the boys did a lot of this...

One of the games they boys play is called World of Warships.  And this was the April Fools theme... sea battles, staged in a GIANT bath tub!  (The toys would be the size of islands.  You can't even see the "enemy ships' in that view.)


The Mother Load...  diminished, but never gone!  My immediate concerns are today's cooking, and prepping for tomorrow's baby shower :D


Noticing that...  the boybarians are growing.  We set a new family record at Costco last week...

I know.  It's crazy.  And I still needed to go to the regular grocery store for a few more things.


Something fun to share...  friends from church hosted the youth group for a cookout and Capture the Flag over the weekend.  Fun time!  We have such a nice group of kids at the chapel :D


A favorite quote for today...  I was reading some Elisabeth Elliot, and she was writing about our attitude toward work.  She said...

The principal cause of boredom is the hatred of work...  As we make an offering of our work, we find the truth of a principle Jesus taught: fulfillment is not a goal to achieve, but always the by-product of sacrifice.

One of my favorite things...  speculoos cookie butter.  Mmmmm!


A devotional thought...  I love the juxtaposition of two verses from Exodus.  The Israelites sing to the Lord after their deliverance through the Red Sea.  Notice how these verses begin...

Exodus 15:9    The enemy boasted...                              
then,
Exodus 15:10  But you blew with your breath...

He's got this.


A few plans for the rest of the week...  working for a smooth transition back into our school routine!
All the usual... school/college/homeschool, CAP, violin lesson, work.
And the extra... baby shower, violin recital :D

Which reminds me... did I mention that Tate promoted at Civil Air Patrol?
Congratulations, Cadet First Lieutenant :D

A peek into my world...  a few quick phone pics from the youth group event :D

A few of the friendly kids :D

Our hosts - kneeling by the fire, and in the print shirt behind him :D

More smiling faces :D

Tate is cooking a sugar-cinnamon croissant

Yum!

Across the fire, see the light?
That's a "flag" for the game,
under a milk-crate footrest :D

Because Shepherds in Bathrobes and Angels with Tinsel Are Adorable

We had our annual Wiser Lake Chapel Kids' Christmas Program.

It was awesome.

It's awesome because ALL the kids participate.

The little ones are adorable in their tinsel and bathrobes,

the middle kids get speaking roles (note the "scientists" in the center back),

and the older kids are readers.

And just in case you were wondering,

the two on the right, in the grass skirts?

Adam and Eve.

And what's even more awesome is that -

being in charge of the littles (preschool/kindy-ish) -

I spent my whole evening trying to get them to walk

in a line

on and off the stage

a total of SIX TIMES.

And they're not even all homeschoolers,

but still,

walk in a line?

When we all want to hurry?

Because we're all Very Excited?!?!

But it's awesome,

because it's the chapel.

There's no pressure to be perfect.

Heck, I had one little angel that had only been to one "rehearsal",

and another little angel that just showed up that night and wanted to be in the program.

Why not?

And the whole thing was hilarious.

In a good way.

Because working with preschoolers and kindergarteners

(and some a little older) is awesome.

I mean, when else do you get to say things like:

Yes, you need to keep your shoes on.

Yes, really, you need to keep your shoes on.

Put it back on.

Stop picking.

Yes, you, get your finger out of your nose.

Thank you.

Please don't chew on the tinsel.

Give her halo back.

I know you want the longer angel robe,

but her robe isn't actually longer than yours -

she's shorter than you.

When you're singing the songs and you don't know the words,

stop staring up at the lyrics projected on the rear wall.

You can't read yet.

Watch Mrs. T, and do the motions she's doing,

and just sing the words you know!

They did it :D

They forgot how to walk in a line.

Their shepherd head-dress-things slid down over their eyes.

They left a trail of tinsel wherever they went.

They managed NOT to tip over the rickety, wobbly old manger.

They "sang" the songs and did the motions.

And it was lovely.

But I think my favorite year of all was

THIS year ;D

In Sunday School This Morning

One of my littles proudly held up his project - a heart, filled with letters, running in several directions.

He asked me:

What does this say?

Good question.  I use my fall-back:

I don't know, you tell me what it says.

He shrugged:

I can't read yet.

At Sunday School Yesterday

One of my little preschoolers leaned over and whispered confidently to me:

Jesus IS God.
But there's two.
It's tricky.

A Big Dipper Quilt for an Alaskan Mom

That baby shower I mentioned?

It was kind of a long time coming...

and then there was hardly any warning at all!

And that probably makes no sense to you, right?

We have a fun, friendly, young-ish couple at the chapel who were hoping to start a family.

And things don't always happen the way you think they will.

When I started hoping with and praying for my friend Katlyn,

I made this quilt for her.

Two years ago.

They began walking through the process of adopting,

with hopes rising and falling.

Until they got a phone call that their son had been born,

and were they ready to come get him?

And we wanted to celebrate and rejoice with them!

My friend Katlyn is a little bit like me,

in that she's not a frilly girly-girl.

(No offense intended to those of you who are,

but some of us aren't.)

So we threw her an Alaska-themed shower.

With citronella candles, and blue jeans, and plaid, and ear-flap hats.

And salmon, and venison, and other goodies.

And deer antlers, and fishing floats, and Dall sheep horns, and gifts on a toboggan.

And I think she liked it :D

 We had a great time - until 10:30pm!

I love our chapel family - it was a perfect time to rejoice with those who rejoice :D

A House of Sick

I had no idea when I wrote these words, Tuesday...

we have a house full of sick.  I mean, I have to be thankful in that we're struggling with yucky colds... rather than something terrifying or life-threatening...

that our friends from the chapel we're bringing their youngest, not-quite-two-year-old little Faye, to the hospital with a suspected E. Coli infection, nor that she would shortly be transported to Seattle Children's Hospital

where doctors are preparing her to start dialysis tomorrow.  She has developed HUS from the E. Coli.

We're thankful for access to great medical care, but far above and beyond that we are trusting our mighty God, who can heal her little body.  Pray with us, if you would?  And for peace and comfort for her parents and family.

Easter, Spring Break, and No-Grasshopper-Days

Do you want to know what really chaps my hide?

It's finally spring break.

The weather is sunny and warm.

I have a four page list of chores and projects to accomplish with the boys.

And...

I have a nasty cold.

So, insert a ridiculous amount of whining about how truly unfair that is,

and we'll just move along, alrighty?

Fortunately, it didn't really "hit" until Sunday night, meaning Easter was wonderful :D

With a bare minimum of protest, the Grasshopper Boys were up and ready to go before 7am, to make it to Sunrise Service.  We may not look traditionally "Eastery"...

... but there's a good reason for that:

And the temp actually dropped as we drove to our friends' farm for the service.

Yah.

But such a gorgeous morning!

We walked through the frosty meadow up to the top of the hill before the sun came up.

Everyone is bundled up - Gunnar even has two pairs of pants on!

Our friend Katlyn was able to get a (Skype? FaceTime?) connection with our friends serving in Myanmar, so they could be part of the service!

They could see the sun coming up, behind the fir trees...

... the crowd of over a hundred gathering for the service...

... and the nearby fields and mountains...

... but they didn't get any of the cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate!

One of our gracious hosts - Emily - on the left.

From the farm, we went on to "regular" church, in view of these Canadian mountains.

And our own Mt. Baker, with a cloud cap.

As is traditional, we headed up to my parents' for family lunch and celebration,
which included an Easter egg hunt for Naomi :D

The big kids were careful not to hide them too well :D

Grandma had carefully filled each one with a little bit of chocolate.

Which led to...

... a fun day for everyone.

Our Spring Blitz, however, is moving forward at a bit more lethargic pace than last year,
thanks to me.  Blah.

Also, I'm running a shuttle service for family members who get to go on cruises, and vacations to warm places (not us) and have been both to the airport and up to Vancouver BC already this week.



But at home, the boys and I have accomplished a FEW things...

AROUND THE HOUSE

* got all the recycling out (picked up this morning)

* got rid of all the shredding that needed to be done

* emptied garbages (will need to do again, after all the cleaning!)

* disinfected all switches and doorknobs around the house

* wiped down the walls around the switches (gross)

* dusted picture frames all around the house - they're so easily forgotten at other times!

* sorted/cleaned coffee table "cubbies"

BOYS' BEDROOM

* tidied the boys' desk drawers

* sorted their "save boxes"

* cleaned off dressers

* went through dressers/closet - what fits!

* strip beds

* wash sheets 

* dust/mop under beds and all floor

UPSTAIRS HALL

* vacuumed the stairs and landings

* cleaned out the vacuum

* emptied two hall closets

* wiped down shelves

* sorted/reloaded closet items

* dust mop the floor

BATHROOM BY KITCHEN

* cleaned out "closet" with hot water heater

* cleaned out under bathroom sink (that bathroom has a lot stored in it)

* cleaned out the medicine cabinet

* dusted/cleaned all flat surfaces

* cleaned toilet

* cleaned sink and counter

FAMILY ROOM

* picked up/tidied (ACK!!!)

* organized the closet

* hung the winter coats (not using right now)

* put away some lego creations

* took down (and disposed of) old curtains

* dusted all bookshelves

* organized the DVDs

* wiped down the baseboard heater

* dusted everything else

* vacuumed all the way to the edges (with little attachment)

We're making good progress, but there is a lot left to do!  The bed sheets are drying on the line, so all the beds need to be remade.  Also, I have materials to make new curtains for the family room, but don't have my sewing machine out yet.  Need to finish some lesson planning for Sunday school first.

As far as all the sorting, we got rid of a ton of stuff last year, so this year the sorting is going much more quickly.  Gunnar, of course, has grown out of nearly everything, so he and I will be doing some shopping later this week, but at least we weeded out everything that doesn't fit.  It filled a LARGE (garbage size) bag.

And for dinner tonight?  Leftovers... again.

None the Wiser

Our chapel youth group - None the Wiser - had a bit of an adventure recently.  The plan was to meet at the chapel, carpool up to Artist's Point, and do a hike, shuttling some of the vehicles to the down-hill end of the trail.  That sounds good, doesn't it?

But it didn't quite work out that way.  Apparently on the way up, the church van caught on fire.  Well, something like that.  Maybe the brakes? Maybe something rubbing on the rear tires?  Everyone is fine.  Thankfully, it was an inconvenience rather than an emergency, which it easily could've been, had the brakes been involved on the return trip - a long, curvy, steep descent.  But the caravan of vehicles never managed to regroup.  Thus Kerry, Wyatt, Tate, and a girl from the youth-group ended up doing the hike by themselves.

It's an amazing hike - about six or seven miles, mostly level or downhill (okay, some uphill), mostly in open country (near timberline), with absolutely stunning views.  The only thing that would've made it more beautiful would've been a clear, rather than hazy sky.  But still...

If you look closely at the rocky hill in the background, you'll see that it's columnar basalt.  If you're not a geologist, that means that it was once lava and cooled slowly into columns, which are often hexagonal.  It's pretty cool.

Okay, yes, there is a bit of uphill to a saddle, but the trail is clear to follow.

And yes, those are patches of snow you see.  In August.  This area set a world record in 1999 for the most snowfall - 1140 inches - in a single season.  That's ninety-five FEET of snow.  Or twenty-nine meters, if you're metric.  

It's a lot of snow.

Of course, all that snow has to go somewhere.  And as you might guess, that somewhere is down.  Down the path of least resistance, which might be... the trail, at times.

Now that's a pretty cool rock.

From the saddle you can look (roughly) west toward Mt. Baker...

... and east toward Mt. Shuksan.

The trail then winds down to Bagley Lake, and the road, crossing yet another snowfield on the way.  You could slide right into the lake if you were adventuresome... or incautious. ;D

The catch is, you come out about two miles and a few hundred feet in elevation lower than where you started.  And the youth group caravan had gotten separated.  What to do?  Just hitch a ride back to the top with someone.  And wouldn't you know the first people they approached ended up being friends of ours?  Acquaintances from a former church with the missionaries who'd been house-sitting for us while we were on vacation!

Coincidence?  I think not.  ;D  Things may not have gone as planned, but all went well.